JP5970051B2 - Mechanism for fixing balance spring stud to balance bridge and spring-loaded balance regulating device having the mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a regulating device for a timepiece having an inertia balance having a balance staff configured to be rotatably attached to the timepiece, a balance bridge supporting a bearing configured to hold one end of the balance staff, and a balance A balance spring having an inner end integral with and a balance spring stud (hereinafter "stud") and an outer end integral with, and finally supported by a balance bridge and longitudinally adjusting the position of the stud Fixing a stud having a housing configured to receive the stud while enabling and further comprising an elastic arm configured to support the stud laterally so that the stud is immobile relative to the wall of the housing And a mechanism for

  A regulating member having a balance and a balance spring, the inner end of the balance spring being firmly fixed to a collet driven by the balance staff, and the outer end of the balance spring being firmly fixed to a stud supported by a stud holder It is known that the stud holder can move axially relative to the balance staff and is concentric with the balance staff.

  There are several known ways of attaching the outer end of the balance spring to the stud. First, the end of the balance spring is inserted into a notch or hole in the stud. The balance spring is then secured to the notch or hole by adhesive bonding. Next, the stud is inserted into a housing provided in the stud holder. Then, after adjusting the height in the housing, a machine screw is provided to prevent the stud from moving.

  The stud holder rotates tightly in one part of the balance cock (or balance bridge) that is concentric with the balance staff. As a result of this characteristic, the watch manufacturer can adjust the angular position of the stud and the outer end of the balance spring by simply rotating the stud holder with respect to the balance. This operation is important. This is because the angular position of the outer end of the balance spring must be such that the impulse pin is aligned in the pallet lever-balance axis when the balance is in its equilibrium position.

  Such adjustment of the position of the balance spring relative to the balance staff must be accurate. In fact, if the balance spring is eccentric or inconsistent with the balance staff, a major problem on the chronometer occurs. In particular, the isochronism of regulatory members. Therefore, the stud must be correctly positioned to ensure that the balance spring is concentric, perpendicular to the plane of the balance spring. In practice, it is difficult to adjust the position of the stud. This is because access is limited and the size of the associated parts is very small. In conventional balance springs made of metallic alloys, after the outer ends of the balance springs are attached to the balance bridge by studs and stud holders, any residual from the ideal three-dimensional shape of the balance springs. The deviation can also be corrected by plastically deforming the end of the balance spring.

  When the balance spring is made of a fragile material such as silicon, diamond or quartz, such adjustment by plastic deformation cannot be performed. Under these conditions, the use of studs requires very tight manufacturing tolerances and a robust stud-balance spring assembly. This provides the most complete verticality possible between the stud axis and the plane of the balance spring. Given the simple fact that locking the studs in the housing by tightening the screws is sufficient to misalign the studs, it is understandable that the above requirements pose a great difficulty for industrial scale It will be easy. In addition, the tightening screw may be dropped or lost frequently during the adjustment operation.

  In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for fixing a stud that adjusts the position of the stud with respect to the balance bridge and prevents the stud from moving easily without using screws. Swiss patent CH76336 discloses a spring-loaded balance regulating device that has a mechanism for fixing a stud and meets the above definition. According to this document, the balance bridge carries a top balance end piece having a protrusion with a lateral cut that functions as a housing for the stud. When the stud is inserted into the housing, the stud is held in place by a spring attached to the balance bridge. A spring acts to push the stud against the notch surface, making the stud immobile. An eccentric screw head is also provided to release the spring away from the stud. This known approach has several specific challenges. Specifically, since the top balance end piece is firmly attached to the balance bridge, the direction of the protrusion cannot be changed. Thus, the position of the housing provided for receiving the stud is permanently fixed. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded balance regulating device that also allows adjustment of the position of the housing in which the stud is accommodated.

  The present invention achieves the above-described object by providing a timer regulating device according to claim 1.

  As a result of these characteristics, watch manufacturers can easily fix the stud to the stud holder without using screws, just as if the studs were screwed on, By rotating the stud holder, the angular position of the outer end of the stud and the balance spring can be adjusted. Indeed, according to the invention, the elastic arm can be rotated relative to the balance bridge and the stud holder. In this way, specifically, the elastic arm and the stud holder can be rotated together.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention may be devised by reading the following description (shown only as non-limiting examples) with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spring-loaded balance regulating member according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3A is a plan view of a portion of the restriction member of FIG. 1, showing in detail a second alternative embodiment of the stud, stud holder and elastic arm. FIG. 3B is a partial plan view similar to FIG. 3A but showing a second alternative embodiment of the elastic arm.

  In the following description, the terms “top” and “bottom” are those in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The “bottom” is the balance spring side. Also, the term “facing outward” should be understood to mean facing away from the center of the balance staff.

  The drawing shows a spring-loaded balance regulating member for a timer corresponding to a particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a balance 7 where the staff of the balance 7 rotates between two bearings. In a conventional manner, one of these bearings (reference numeral 11) is supported by a balance bridge (or cock) 9 via a top balance end piece 13, and the other bearing is attached to a main plate (not shown). Furthermore, in a conventional manner, the balance is associated with a balance spring 1 whose inner end is attached to the balance staff.

  The cock 9 also functions as a support for the assembly formed by the stud 3, the stud holder 5 and the elastic arm 15. This assembly is intended to position the outer end 1 a of the balance spring 1. In this example, first, the end 1a is firmly fixed to the stud by adhesive bonding. To achieve this, first the end of the balance spring is inserted into a notch in the stud (not labeled but shown in FIG. 2). The balance spring is then secured to the notch by adhesive bonding. In addition, this invention is not limited to the specific method which fixes the end 1a of a balance spring to a stud. The end 1a can be similarly fixed to a conventional stud using a pin, for example. Alternatively, according to another variant embodiment, the stud 3 and the balance spring 1 can be integrally formed in a single piece.

In this example, the stud holder 5 is essentially supported by the annular part concentric with the balance staff and the stud 3 and extends radially toward the outer coil of the balance spring relative to the balance staff . And an extended piece (hereinafter “protrusion”) in the form of an arm. In a conventional manner, the projection of the stud holder 5 has a housing 17 which is oriented parallel to the balance staff , into which the stud 3 is inserted longitudinally. Further, the stud holder 5 rotates while being tightly fitted by the annular portion so as to contact the top balance end piece 13 which is concentric with the balance 7 . As a result of this characteristic, the watch manufacturer can change the position of the stud 3 by simply rotating the stud holder 5 with respect to the cock and balance 7 . The stud holder is preferably made of silicon, but can be made of another material. For example, the stud holder can be made of metal or composite material. When the stud is made of metal, it is preferable that the stud holder is formed by direct current plating using LIGA technology.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the housing 17 is formed by a through hole provided in the protrusion of the stud holder 5. In the illustrated example, the through hole has an isosceles triangle cross section, and one of the vertices of the isosceles triangle faces the center of the balance staff . Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the housing 17 is oriented parallel to the balance staff . The stud holder 5 also has a rim 19 that protrudes under the lower surface of the protrusion. Referring to the figure, it is clear that the rim 19 forms a groove provided in an extension of the inner wall of the housing 17. Thus, the rim 19 extends the housing 17 in the form of a groove. The bottom of this groove faces the balance staff . Therefore, the total length of the housing 17 including the extended portion is larger than the thickness of the protrusion of the stud holder. However, the cross section of the extension of the housing is not triangular but V-shaped. The opening of this groove faces the outside of the balance 7 .

Referring to FIG. 1 again, it can be understood that the stud 3 having a round shape can prevent the stud 3 from coming into contact with the apex of the triangle (it can also be said to come into contact with the bottom of the groove). In the illustrated example, the stud is configured to simultaneously abut against two surfaces of the inner wall of the triangular housing 17. These two surfaces of the inner wall together define a groove extending parallel to the balance staff , the bottom of which faces the balance staff . In the illustrated example, the two surfaces in contact with the stud 3 form an angle of 60 degrees with each other. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular angle value between the two faces of the triangle. It should also be noted that in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stud 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape. One advantage of the rotational symmetry inherent in the cylindrical shape is that the position of the stud relative to the stud holder 5 can be adjusted not only in the vertical direction but also in the rotational direction. It will be appreciated that this additional possibility is advantageous when the balance spring is made of a brittle material. In fact, if the spring is made of such a material, it is not possible in principle to correct any deviation of the spring by plastic deformation of its ends. However, if the possibility of rotational adjustment is not necessary, the stud 103 can be mounted using a stud 103 having a flat portion (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) configured to interface with the inner wall of the housing 13. It is advantageous to lock angularly.

  As already explained, FIGS. 1 and 2 further show an elastic arm 15 configured to support the stud 3 from the lateral direction. Accordingly, the stud can be brought into contact with the wall of the housing 17 so as not to move. According to the embodiment which is the subject of this example, the elastic arm 15 rotates so as to contact the lower surface of the stud holder 5 by means of an annular part 15a shown in dotted lines in FIG. However, according to one variant embodiment, the elastic arm 15 may be rotated as well so as to directly contact the cock 9 or the top balance end piece 13. Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastic arm 15 is shown in a first angular position, in which the rim 19 directly contacts the stud 3 from the lateral direction. By contact, the elastic arm 15 prevents the stud 3 from moving. In this contact position, the housing 17 is extended in the form of an open groove.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic arm 15 is bent so as to be generally in the form of a hook. Further, the end of the elastic arm 15 has a jumper spring profile having two substantially straight sections. The two substantially straight sections define a vertex 15b at their intersection. The apex 15 b is located in the vicinity of the sharp end 15 c of the elastic arm 15. In the rest position (not under stress in the elastic arm), the distance the point 15c is away from the center of the balance staff, usually greater than the distance the axis of the stud 3 is away from the center of the balance staff. Conversely, the distance vertex 15b is away from the center of the balance staff, less than the distance of the center of axis and balance staff of the stud 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the elastic arm 15 is in a first position, in which the elastic arm 15 passes under the protrusion of the stud holder 5 and has a pointed end 15c and a vertex 15b. Of the stud 3 so that its distal portion is on the opposite side of the stud 3. It will be appreciated that when the elastic arm 15 is in its first position, the elastic arm 15 supports the outside of the stud 3 so that the stud 3 is returned toward the center of the balance staff . It will also be understood that the reaction force of the stud 3 against the elastic arm 15 has a tangential component, which has the effect of holding the elastic arm 15 in the position shown in FIG.

  According to the present invention, the elastic arm 15 is configured to be able to rotate with respect to the stud holder 5. If the wristwatch manufacturer forces the elastic arm 15 to rotate counterclockwise with respect to the stud holder 5, the end of the elastic arm 15 slides on the stud 3 and the elastic arm 15 is pushed outward. When the apex 15b slides on the stud 3, the tangential component of the reaction force applied to the elastic arm 15 by the stud 3 changes direction and rotates the elastic arm 15 quickly until it completely leaves the stud 3. . Accordingly, by simply rotating the elastic arm 15 counterclockwise, the elastic arm 15 is simply moved from the first angular position shown in FIG. Can be released very easily.

Conversely, the elastic arm 15 can be moved from the second angular position to the first angular position by rotating the elastic arm 15 clockwise. Distance pointed end 15c moves away from the balance staff, since the axis of the stud 3 is greater than the distance away from the balance staff, pointed the end 15c encounters a stud 3, pointed end 15c is on the surface of the stud 3 Slip and gradually move outward. When the apex 15b slides on the stud 3, the tangential component of the force applied to the elastic arm 15 with respect to the stud changes the direction of the elastic arm 15 to the first angular position and rotates quickly. Thereafter, the stud 3 is made immovable by the inner wall of the housing 17.

  3 and 4 show two alternative embodiments to the embodiment that is the subject of the detailed description. The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 3A is practically the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. The elements shown in FIG. 3A are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 and are indicated by the same reference numerals. By comparing FIGS. 1 and 3A, it can be seen that, unlike the cylindrical stud 3, the stud 103 shown in FIG. 3A has a flat portion. As described above, the advantage of using a stud with a flat portion is that the stud 103 can be angularly locked relative to one of the inner walls of the housing 17.

  FIG. 3B is a partial view similar to FIG. 3A, showing the elastic arm 115 corresponding to the second variant embodiment. According to this modified embodiment, the inner flank of the elastic arm 115 further forms a V-shaped seating portion formed at the intersection of two substantially straight sections in the vicinity of the vertex 115b. As can be understood by referring to FIG. 3B, the stud 115 is more firmly locked by the V-shaped seating portion. It will be apparent that various modifications and / or improvements apparent to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Specifically, the housing provided in the stud holder does not have to be triangular and may be any shape. Specifically, it can be formed by a groove that is open over its entire length.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Balance spring 1a Outer end 3, 103 Stud 5 Stud holder 7 Balance 9 Balance bridge 11 Bearing 13 Top balance end piece
15a annular part 17 housing 19 rim 15, 115 elastic arm

Claims (13)

An inertia balance (7) having a balance staff configured to be rotatably mounted within the timer; and
A balance bridge (9) and a bearing (11) supported by the balance staff and configured to hold one end of the balance staff;
A balance spring (1) whose inner end is integral with the inertia balance (7) and whose outer end (1a) is integral with the stud (3, 103);
A timer regulating device having a mechanism for fixing the stud (3, 103),
The mechanism for fixing the stud has a housing (17) supported by the balance staff and configured to receive the stud while allowing adjustment of the longitudinal position of the stud.
The mechanism for fixing the stud further includes an elastic arm (15, 115) configured to support the stud from a lateral direction so as to prevent the stud from moving relative to the wall of the housing (17). ,
The housing (17) is formed in a stud holder (5) that rotates concentrically with the balance staff on the balance bridge (9);
The resilient arm (15, 115) is a first position where the resilient arm (15, 115) prevents the stud from moving while allowing the stud to be inserted into or removed from the housing. And the elastic arm is configured to rotate concentrically with the balance staff with respect to the balance bridge (9) and the stud holder (5) between a second position away from the stud. And regulatory devices. The regulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic arms (15, 115) rotate to contact the stud holder (5). 3. A regulating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic arm (15, 115) rotates to contact the lower surface of the stud holder (5). The stud holder (5) has an annular portion that is concentric with the balance staff, and a protrusion that is integral with the annular portion and that forms the housing (17) for the stud (3, 103). And
The regulating device according to claim 1, wherein the housing faces parallel to the balance staff. The said elastic arm (15,115) rotates so that it may contact | connect the said stud holder (5) via the annular part (15a) integral with the said elastic arm. Regulatory device according to one item. The studs (3, 103) are configured to simultaneously abut against two separate regions of the inner wall of the housing (17) when the studs are stuck;
These two areas extend parallel to the balance staff and together define a wall in the form of a groove,
The regulation device according to claim 1, wherein a bottom of the groove faces the balance staff. The length of the housing (17) is larger than the thickness of the stud holder (5),
7. A regulating device according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that one part of the wall forming the groove of the housing is formed by a rim (19) protruding from the lower side of the projection. The housing, in the groove-shaped said rim protruding from the lower surface of the projection (19), in claim 7 in which the opening of the groove of the rim and wherein the outer side direction Iteiru <br/> that of the balance The regulatory device described. It said elastic arms (15, 115) is that the housing (17), opening is configured to support the outer side of said balance the stud in countercurrent Iteiru grooved rim (3,103) from a lateral direction The regulation device according to claim 3 or 8, wherein   The regulating device according to claim 6, wherein the groove is substantially straight and faces substantially parallel to the balance staff. The bearing (11) is attached to a top balance end piece (13) integral with the balance bridge (9);
The said annular part of the said stud holder (5) grabs the said top balance end piece so that the said stud holder may rotate in the state tightly fitted to the said top balance end piece. Regulatory device. The regulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the stud holder (5) is made of silicon. The regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the stud holder is made of metal.

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